1
2
as in to shift
to change one's position
the cat stirred, then opened its eyes and slowly got to its feet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to provoke
to rouse to strong feeling or action
news coverage of the fire stirred many to send donations to a fund for the families who had lost their homes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
the plane's first jolt caused a stir among the passengers, and by the third one they were in a panic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shifting
the act or an instance of changing position
we were warned that the slightest stir would scare the mother bird so we hardly dared to breathe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in jail
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
the mule had just got out of stir and was being followed by the feds, who had their sights set on the kingpin of the operation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stir
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Cups are poured with precision; milk and sugar are stirred with a silent spoon.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Punch took the world by storm after images of him dragging the orange plushy behind him circulated on social media, causing such a stir that the zoo has since made special rules to accommodate the influx of visitors.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stir
Verb
Hurricane formation can be inhibited by strong wind shear over the Atlantic, stirred by the pattern of warmer-than-normal waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Cups are poured with precision; milk and sugar are stirred with a silent spoon.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
Add sugar and stir until sugar has completely dissolved.
—C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Punch took the world by storm after images of him dragging the orange plushy behind him circulated on social media, causing such a stir that the zoo has since made special rules to accommodate the influx of visitors.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stir
Verb
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White clouds can be seen swirling on Earth's sunlit arc above the line separating night from day while the cratered expanse of the lunar disk stretches out below.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
10 Apr. 2026
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Rumors had swirled for months that Epstein was the one who introduced the President and first lady, and that she could have also been trafficked by Epstein.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In Paul’s time, Josephus was a perfect instance of the first kind, a brilliant military leader who, when faced with the fanaticism of his cohorts, chose to shift his allegiance to Rome.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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Administration officials have signaled, both publicly and privately, that their immigration enforcement strategy has shifted to some degree following Operation Metro Surge, the operation in Minnesota.—
Julia Ingram,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There’s nothing better than cozying up to a good memoir or a thought-provoking history book.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
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Because of her ability to calm and temper her emotions, she is connected with Aries, as the ferocious sign can resort to unruly means to prove its point and provoke conflict.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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They’re typically picked, washed, chopped, and frozen at peak ripeness, helping lock in nutrients and flavor.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
15 Apr. 2026
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Its cushioned chairs and glass table create an idyllic place to sip coffee in the morning or watch the sunset at night, and the removable cushion covers are easy to wash when needed.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The draft pick was top-10 protected in 2026, and with the Panthers owning the eighth-worst record in the NHL this season, the worst that pick can be after the draft lottery is 10th, as a maximum of two teams can potentially move up past the Panthers in that lottery.—
Steve Svekis,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
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Homeowner Maha Amin moved three dozen sandbags from the trunk of her car to her driveway Thursday, bracing for more flooding in Des Plaines.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Fans are encouraged to line up on South University Drive outside the President's House, west to the Student Union, and south down State Street to Yost Ice Arena.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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The Live Local Act, a state law passed in 2023 to encourage developers to build more affordable housing, is the key driving the redesign of the faded mall that gained new owners in September 2025.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Whisk together flour, instant espresso, baking soda, 1/4 cup of the cocoa, and 1 teaspoon of the salt in a large bowl, then whisk in buttermilk, eggs, 2 teaspoons of the vanilla, and reserved cola and butter mixture until smooth; do not wash saucepan.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
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Neither did Banegas, who was whisked away by deputies to be fingerprinted after his sentence was meted out.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This amazing project significantly expands our ability to accomplish our mission, to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone, on a scale and with an impact unlike anything in our history.—
Staff report,
Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Simple habits like hydration, fiber intake, coffee, physical activity, and proper posture can help stimulate bowel movements.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stir. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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